The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation Celebrates National Aboriginal Day with a Cultural Showcase on Victoria Island, Ottawa

June 17, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUSKODAY, June 17, 2009 – The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation will celebrate National Aboriginal Day with a Cultural Showcase and Fundraiser which will take place June 20 and 21, 2009 on Victoria Island, a traditional sacred Algonquin meeting place for gatherings, trading and celebrations close to Parliament Hill.The event, hosted the Foundation in partnership with Aboriginal Experiences (www.aboriginalexperiences.com), includes an exciting 2-day program for all the family, June 20 and 21. Activities to suit everyone from adults to youth and children will be offered on the grounds of Victoria Island and in several tee pees erected for the occasion. The program, under the theme «Honoring one another» (Kikàdjihidik in Algonquin) features traditional dancers, drummers, singers and other musicians. Food vendors and craft stalls will be available.

Participants will have the opportunity to consult well known Seer Amelia ‘She who makes things clear’ McComber brought from Vancouver for the event. Money raised during the two days will support Canada’s participation in the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW) International Indigenous Gathering, scheduled for September, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii (www.hosw.com).

Interested participants are invited to a special Sacred Pipe Ceremony beginning at 10 am on Sunday, June 21st. The Ceremony will be conducted by Elder William Commanda – well known and respected for the healing vision that lead to the creation of the Circle of all Nations, and for his tireless effort to build the Healing Centre on Victoria. Elder Commanda was invested with the Order of Canada in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on May 15 of this year.

The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (NNAPF) is a national organization committed to facilitate a process to empower First Nations and Inuit in developing their capacity to address addictions and related issues. The collaborative vision of the NNAPF is to cultivate interdependent and empowering relationships, to reclaim and reconnect to cultural strengths, purpose and place on earth.

The Foundation encourages everyone to bring their chairs and blankets for a great day of fun and celebration.

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For more information on the National Aboriginal day celebration, please contact
Cynthia Stirbys, National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation
Téléphone : 613-237-4441, ext: 479
Email: cstirbys[at]nnapf.org
Website: www.nnapf.org